Wow guys! The response to this story is overwhelming! My inbox was flooded. I appreciate all the alerts you've set up too. You have inspired me to keep going with this. I hope you're not too mad at me for where this next instalment is going.

Kate woke up feeling cozy and warm. She remembered the case she had been working on. How Castle had convinced Josh to stay and help, and then getting no where with any leads. Beckett frowned for a moment as she struggled to remember the journey home. What a minute, I don't remember coming home! Beckett felt slightly panicked as that realisation hit her. Then she opened her eyes and realised that she was at home, so someone must have brought her here. Did I fall asleep? She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to force the memory. All of a sudden she remembered that she'd been vaguely aware of being picked up and snuggling into someone's neck. But who's? She thought fearfully.

Beckett stretched to try and shake of the remnants of the deep sleep she'd been in, hoping that it might clear her mind of the fog it was currently feeling. Her left arm brushed against something, or rather someone and she sat up suddenly. Josh was sitting next to her fully clothed holding a mug of coffee. She smiled warmly at him. It was comforting to wake up next to him.

"Hi."

"Hey." Josh's delivery was less enthusiastic, almost sad. Beckett frowned.

"What's wrong? Did I drool on you in the night?" Beckett wiped her mouth nervously. This earned a slight smile from Josh.

"No." There was a moment of silence before Josh added, "Are you in love with Castle?"

Kate was incensed, "What? No! Why would you even ask that?"

"I don't know, maybe because when you fell asleep you wouldn't let anyone but him lift you into their arms. Or maybe it was the fact that you asked him to stay when he put you down on the bed."

Kate's blood froze. She did what? Oh God now her own body was betraying her in her sleep.

"Well obviously I thought it was you." She tried to cover.

"Kate, I don't mind. I just want you to be honest with me. If you're heart isn't in this then I'll walk away now. I don't want to lose you but I don't want to be someone you settle for." Josh was sincere but firm.

Beckett didn't know how to feel about this. Yes she loved Castle but he wasn't the sensible choice. Any chance they may have had was lost when he went to the Hamptons with Gina. She couldn't risk her heart like that again. The agony she had felt that day when he'd walked away was bordering on unbearable. She was determined that she would never be that vulnerable again; despite how when he looked at her, as if she were the only woman in the world, it stole her breath. They would never be together. She had to think quickly if she didn't want to end up alone again. There was nothing wrong with Josh. He was easy to be with, and she preferred a safety net of having someone to turn to when she needed it. But you've got that in Castle. Her inner voice, that had come to sound a lot like Lanie, prompted her. Beckett shook herself before saying,

"Josh, I don't know what to say other than that I'm sorry. I obviously thought it was you when I was asleep and anything I said last night was meant for you." She placed her hand over his and squeezed it gently.

Josh smiled at her. "As long as your sure."

"I am." she smiled back and nodded as if to cement her point. Josh held out his arms and she gladly snuggled into him. Josh placed a kiss on her forehead. Beckett stiffened as she realised that someone had kissed her there last night and it suddenly dawned on her that it couldn't have been Josh. Her whole body started to tingle at the thought of Castle placing a kiss there. A shiver went up her spine.

"You ok?" Josh asked, concerned.

"Yeah, just a little cold I guess." She tried to snuggle closer so as to emphasise her point.

Josh's eyes darkened as he said, " I know a good way to warm up." He started to place open-mouthed kisses on her neck. Beckett responded appropriately but it didn't make her feel as half alive as the thought of Rick placing a kiss to her forehead. She rolled her eyes at herself. She was determined that she would get over this. Starting from today, she would devote more time to Josh and get Castle out from under her skin permanently.

Don't kill me! It will be a happy ending I promise, it's just going to take a little longer for them to get there. I will try and update soon. I've got three more chapter outlines already done so I've got some idea of where I want this to go. Please R & R it makes my day!